The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes. The only thing to chop is an onion.
How do you make good homemade chili?
- Heat olive in a large soup pot.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes.
MY LATEST RECIPES- Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce.
- Stir well.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
What do you top chili with?
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe for chili, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- sliced green onions
- saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- diced avocado
What goes well with chili for dinner?
I’ve been playing around with this chili recipe for the past few months, making it many times. My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!
Watch the step by step recipe video for this chili recipe below.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion -diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
- Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Video
I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo. Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.
This is terrific! I’ve made it twice now and my husband loves it! He just liked the chili i made before in which I used packaged chili spices. But I was out and he wanted chili so I googled and found your recipe. THSNK YOU!!! I’ll never go back to package chili spices again!
hello i had not chili paper pouder and used green fresh chili. After all taste with bitterness not like spicy more like bitter, but over all I like it, my family does not like May you tel it is make difference taste when use pouder instant of fresh chili. Thank you
Perfect fall day for chili! I’ve been looking for a simple, easy classic chili recipe and this hit the spot! Thank you so much for sharing. I only made one small adjustment and that was with the sugar, as I only used half of what was indicated (I tend to do this with all recipes I use that call for sugar). Thanks again for sharing and will definitely be making again soon!
Just made this chili and we LOVE IT!! This will be my go-to for chili from now on. I left out the cayenne for the sake of my children’s tender taste buds but it’s still so deslicuous! They have it loaded up with cheese and Fritos! Thank you!
This recipe looks really good. As an option if a person wanted a little thinner chile would you use water, more beef broth or some tomato juice? Thanks
Add beef, chicken, or any homemade broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato juice, or a beer. Just not water (not enough flavor).
I always make my own recipe but wanted something a little different than mine and I have to say, it’s delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe! 😊
thank you for this recipe, needed one tonight and this came up at the top of my search results am making it now
This recipe was excellent! Quick and easy to put together. The only thing I did different was I used ground chicken and omitted the sugar. Will definitely make again!